Arunachala Sreenivasan, VERIFY
VERIFY

Arunachala Sreenivasan

Born 13 July 1909 · Tamil Nadu — Died 20 July 1996

Directed the Cancer Research Institute at Tata Memorial Centre, advancing cancer research in India.

Arunachala Sreenivasan (1909–1996) was an Indian food technologist, nutritional scientist and the director of Cancer Research Institute of the Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai. Born on 13 July 1909 in Tamil Nadu and after receiving the degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Madras in 1936, he served in various positions such as deputy director of Central Food Technological Research Institute, (1959–64), head of Biochemistry and Food Technology Division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, (1964–71), adviser at the Department of Atomic Energy, and as the emeritus scientist of BARC (1971–73), before superannuating from Tata Memorial Centre in 1975. He was an elected Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy and his research findings have been documented by way of several articles. The Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan, in 1974, for his contributions to science.

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A detail that
surprised us

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In 1972, Arunachala Sreenivasan chaired the drafting committee for the IAEA panel’s recommendations on applying food irradiation technology specifically tailored to developing countries.

The Story

1
In 1936, Arunachala Sreenivasan earned his Doctor of Science degree from the University of Madras, a period when India was still under British rule and scientific research infrastructure was limited.
2
🌟 Between 1959 and 1964, he served as deputy director at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, pioneering studies in food technology during the early years of independent India.
3From 1964 to 1971, Sreenivasan headed the Biochemistry and Food Technology Division at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, merging nuclear science with food preservation research.
4In 1971, he represented India at the Asian Congress of Nutrition in Hyderabad and chaired multiple International Atomic Energy Agency panels on food irradiation, shaping global policies on food safety.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1974
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1971, Sreenivasan chaired sessions at the IAEA Symposium on Radiation Preservation of Food in Bombay, placing India at the center of pioneering discussions on nuclear food technology.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Pamini, Tanjore District
Arunachala Sreenivasan was born in Tamil Nadu to a Vedanta scholar father, grounding him in a scholarly environment from the start.
1909
📚
Education
Doctor of Science from University of Madras
He earned his D.Sc. degree, marking his formal entry into advanced scientific research during colonial India.
1936
🏅
Award
Elected Fellow of INSA
Recognition by the Indian National Science Academy acknowledged his scientific contributions early in his career.
1950
⚡
Career
Deputy Director at CFTRI
He took leadership at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, focusing on Indian food science challenges.
1959
⚡
Career
Head of Biochemistry at BARC
Sreenivasan led the Biochemistry and Food Technology Division, integrating atomic energy applications with nutrition science.
1964
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Career
Key role at International Nutrition Congress
He participated as a delegate and chaired sessions, highlighting India’s role in international nutritional science.
1971
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
The Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan for his scientific contributions.
1974
⚡
Career
Retired from Tata Memorial Centre
He superannuated after directing cancer research at one of India’s premier institutions.
1975
🕊️
Death
Passed away at age 87
Sreenivasan died, leaving a legacy in food technology and nutritional science.
1996
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

His 1966 biochemical research included characterizing ribonuclease in rat adrenal cells, revealing early insights into enzyme behavior under toxic conditions.

02 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Sreenivasan’s family included notable figures such as his brother M Ganapati, who led Rourkela and Bokaro steel plants, linking science and industry within his immediate family circle.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He was an elected Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy since 1950, marking early recognition of his scientific work well before many of his institutional roles.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Arunachala Sreenivasan bridged nuclear science and nutritional research, influencing India’s policies on food preservation through irradiation and cancer research methodologies. His leadership at institutions like BARC and Tata Memorial Centre helped position food technology within atomic energy applications. This cross-disciplinary focus contributed to safer food storage techniques and informed cancer nutritional strategies in India’s post-independence scientific landscape.

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